Tent/outside coverage during summer???

we have a 550 that we put roughly 10-12k miles a yr on, car currently has 50k miles and is used as a daily driver from may-october here in NJ. We have noticed the typical leather dash issue and want to give the car some protection this summer. Is there some sort of temporary tent type thing i can park the car under to give it some relief from the sun while it is sitting there all day baking. Something that can be removed in under an hour if need be, but something sturdy...I was thinking something like this, but there is also the issue of securing it in case of a windy day/storm. Dont want to have the aluminum rails slamming into the car...let me know some suggestions
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

It might be easier just to put a reflective windshield cover on the dash (the kind held in place by the sun visors) and leave the windows open an inch. However, there are also a lot of reflective aluminized cloth sun and dust covers available. I think your proposed plan is far more elaborate than necessary.

 

i have a a reflective windshield cover, it doesnt fit well and it exposes the bottom part of the dash, which is most prone to shrinkage...does anyone know of a good windshield reflector for the 550's?

 

The come in a zillion different shapes and sizes. Buy a few and return whatever doesn't work. Since you're more concerned about the dash itself than the overall interior temperature, you could just lay the cover on the dash rather than trying to prop it up with the sun visors. Don't forget that the rear parcel shelf can also be prone to shrinkage (that's what happened to my 456M. The fix will, I'm told, run only about $300).

 

I've got a F355 and they have real problems with shrinking leather on the dash, among other things. Since I use the car relatively regularly, I found an outfit that custom-makes reflective windshield covers. They use Covercraft material, and the fit is snug; end-to-end, top-to-bottom. They have a stiff backing, and comes with its own sleeve to store it in, while not in use.

They're not cheap, but so far I've been quite pleased with the product. They apparently have the dimensions for all (most?) Ferraris.

http://www.caraccessories.com/sun-and-heat-shields.asp

Re: the tent idea. I thought of that as well, but I would want to secure the legs of the tent to the ground whenever it's deployed. Too many times, even a heavy breeze will lift the canopy up and run the legs into the side of your car - ask anyone who's set one up at a track day. That said, I've seen some rather ingenious ways that folks do to secure these tents, such as rolling the car onto a flat plate that has hooks on the outside to tie bungees to the tent frame, or using sandbags to hold them down. It might look a bit ghetto tho'.

I'd go with the reflective windshield cover, and perhaps leave a small crack in the window to vent the hot air from the interior.

 

may I suggest a custom cover, much like the stock one, that is cut to fit just over the window portions. It would be quick to put on/off and store nicely in any area due to its light gauge of cloth. Thinking of doing the same to my 456 as can't always tell where the sun will be or wind up during my typical work day.

r/

 

They make those tent things even for RV's so you can certainly find one in the size and shape that you need...

Good luck with your quest. Glad that you use your F-car so much! That is heartening.

Best,
James
Austin, TX

 

Plenty of good choices here, custom cut for an exact fit on your 550. The AutoBody Armour is the top-of-the line, but certainly for full-time outdoor use the "Stormproof" makes a whole lot of sense:

http://www.ricambiamerica.com/index.php?cPath=100004

 

John Corbani owns the highest mileage Dino known and lives in Santa Barbara, CA. See his threads in the Dino section where he uses an identical canopy/tent as you propose and is quite satisfied with it.

 

I would go with a nice snug car cover. Keeps the car protected from other onslaughts besides the sun as well.


Onno

 

thanks for all the suggestions, i really want the tent idea to work so i have to think of how to do it. The windshield reflector could also be good, but the tent would help with preserving the paint and entire car from blasting sun all day. Sometimes the car could be used 10-15 times a day, running to store, lunch, dinner, this that the other thing, so to cover and un cover would get annoying and it would end up not being covered the whole time

thanks so far, keep the ideas coming

 

Too bad they don't make one for the 550.

 

I know that I would not have the patience to deal with a cover. I would use the tent and completely overclub it. Hemmings has numerous offerings.

So long as it's legal I'd go all in.

 

Do you not own a garage?

 

Whenever I've seen tents used at events, it only blocks the sun at it's highest. In the morning and afternoon, the sun is low enough for the rays to go under the tent.

If you use a tent, get a five gallon bucket for each leg. Put the leg in the bucket, and then fill the bucket with sand. That'll keep the legs in place, and allow you to undo things if necessary, whereas using cement would be more permanent.

edit: I wish I had so many nice cars that a 550 would have to sit outside...

 

I developed the Berlinetta Shade so as to solve this exact problem. Since it fits on the outside, there is no interference with "sophisticated electronics" or even the rear view mirror. It's easy to install and covers ALL the glass. These is NO "one size fits all" - they are model specific.

Having used tents in film production - - I don't think you want to go there

Daniel @ RICAMBI (our title sponsor) is the exclusive distributor of Berlinetta Shade. Check it out.

Cheers, Hank
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

How about this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/10x20x9-HEAVY-DUTY-CANOPY-CARPORT-GARAGE-STORAGE-TENT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6755QQihZ013QQitemZ230252225576QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

I'm considering one for my car too.

 

Too tough to assemble. Not to mention, I've seen the slightest gust of wind cause these things to come tumbling down. I would never park my F-car under one of these. You're safer letting it sit in the sun, IMHO.